Session 21: "Something found, something lost....." or "You don't get something for nothing....."

8^th Day of Firemoot, Moonday

The group retraced their steps to Conyberry and headed eastward along the Triboar Trail. 

Setting up camp for the night, Gimli took 2^nd watch. He soon grew bored and wandered off from the campfire in search of herbs, in the dark. Startled but ready for action he was ready when the Owlbear charged him but missed timed his swing trying to trip the creature up.

It’s beak ripped into Gimli as it passed. Gimli ran for the camp and managed to awaken them as the Owlbear charged into the camp. 

Gimli was badly injured but the Owlbear succumbed to the myriad of blows struck by the group members surrounding the creature.

 The group healed as best they could.

 9^th Day of Firemoot, Towerday

Packing camp up quickly the group made an early start. They soon came across 3, unsaddled horses at the side of the road. Gimli approached cautiously and gained the horses trust. He noticed they all had a brand on the rump B.A.K.

The horses were tied using Lionel’s rope. He volunteered to stay and watch the horses as the group carried on.

Shortly after the group could see a farmstead to the left of the Triboar Road, nestled between two hills.

Butterskull Ranch

Fargrim suggested they climb the hill to their right so they could see more. On top they could make out the main farm building and two ruined buildings, the far left one with wisps of smoke coming from it. The proceeded down a small re-entrant. Heading for a line of trees to give cover to their approach to the farm buildings.

Droop indicated to Heimund that he had found something. Orc tracks. Could be 2 days old. Didn’t know how many. The group advanced with great caution. Using the tree line as cover they approached the main farm building.

Beorwulf, who had been leading, headed over to check out a small outbuilding. Gimli, worried by some dead ground beyond the outbuilding kept a wary eye on it for danger. Fargrim and Bandur approached a window. Hagnulf headed for another.  Looking inside he saw a door close but not who or what had closed it.

Heimund spotted an Orc and charged, Droop took cover behind a tree.

Heimund had failed to notice until he charged round the corner that it wasn’t just 1 Orc but 12. Gimli charged in to support Heimund.

Bandur had managed to get Fargrim on his shoulders and he entered the building, he was in a kitchen of sorts. Bandur with a last push had fallen down. Hagnulf retreated and fired an arrow. Heimund and Gimli were surrounded. Orcs poured round the building and charged into Hagnulf and Beorwulf and Orc charged towards the prone Bandur.

Hagnulf disengaged, fired, disengaged, fired. Slowly taking down Orc after Orc. 

Heimund and Gimli were taking blows and trying to hit back. Fargrim had dashed out of the side door, vaulted a small balcony and charged into the rear of the Orcs. Heimund swung a mighty blow, enthused with holy power and the Orc Leader staggered back, then ran. 

Gimil went down under a flurry of blows. Fargrim took down an Orc. Bandur killed the Orc fighting him. Hagnulf took down another Orc. Eventually all the Orcs were dead. Unfortunately, so too their comrade Gimli. He had fought bravely but had succumbed to his wounds before anyone could come to his aid.

 Beorwulf managed to kill an Orc but succumbed to massive hits from the 2^nd Orc.

Then Heimund went down as Droop rushed to his aid, sticking the Orc in the leg with a sharp stick he had found. The Orc turned and swung at Droop hitting him but he stood his ground. 

Beorwulf and Heimund were revived their wounds not life threatening but still grievous.

Beorwulf and Heimund were revived their wounds not life threatening but still grievous.

A quick search of the farm resulted in a cash of money, a chain mail suit of armour, and a human, bound and tied, badly beaten in the cellar. They released him and he introduced himself as Big Al Kalazorn, former adventurer and sheriff of Triboar. He had settled here some 5 years ago, hired on some ranch hands and with his prize cow Petunia made the butter skulls, protected by wax, they could see on the shelves in the cellar. He sold these for a handsome profit.

Kalazorn let them keep the money they found and the chainmail suit. They also confirmed his farm hands were dead, plus some 16 Orcs. Kalazorn was worried. Over 40 Orcs had attacked the farm. Leading them was an Orc with a skull staff and a goatshead with horns helmet. Fargrim and Hagnulf recognised the description of the Orc Shaman that they had encountered at the Dwarven Excavation.

Finding Petunia took some time but she was found safe and well. Kalazorn asked the group to escort him to Phandalin. There was nothing here for him now. They agreed to do so in the morning after they had healed but first they buried Gimli on the small rise to the rear of the outbuilding his money and goods distributed amongst them all. For his devotion Droop was given a light crossbow and a Warhammer, formerly owned by Gimli.

The group healed, ate and awoke refreshed. They left early, collecting Lionel on the way. The walk back along the Triboar Trail to Phandalin was slow but sure.

10^th Day of Firemoot, Wineday

Uneventful day.

 11^th Day of Firemoot, Thunderday                                                                                  Uneventful day.

12^th Day of Firemoot, Fireday                                                                                  Uneventful day. Arrive Phandalin.